Apparel belt



Oct. 4, 1932. .1. T. DUFFY, JR 1,880,908

APPAREL BELT Filed Dec. 3l, 1951 Patented Oct. 4, 1932 UNITED STATES' PATENT OFCE JAMES T. DUFFY, JR., OF WYNNEWU'OD, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIG-NOR TO PIONEER SUSPENDER C'OMPANYQA CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA APPAREL BELT Application filed December 31, 1931. Serial No. 584,055.

The invention relates to apparel belts. The object is to provide improved means for giving a limited resilience or elasticity to the belt, said means being preferably invisible when in operative position.

Referring to the drawing, which illustrates merely by way of example, a suitable embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 1 is a view in perspective with the belt in open or unbuckled position.

Fig. 2 is a similar view with the belt in the closed or buckled position.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary elevation on a reduced` scale, showing the belt as it will appear when under normal tension, thatk is unstretched or very slightly stretched.

Fig. 4 is a similar view when the belt is stretched under greater tension.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary top or plan view.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

The flexible strap or band 7 may be of leather, or fabric, or of any suitable flexible material. This band is provided at its free end 8, in the example shown, with a number of holes 9 for adjustable engagement with the tongue 10 of buckle member 11. It will be understood however that any form of buckle may be used. The other end of the band 7 extends to and includes the loop 12 for retaining the free end V8 of band 7. The other loop 13 is secured to a short piece 14 which is folded about the rear cross bar 15 of the'buckle. Between the folded piece 14 and the end of band 7, which carries the loop 12, is secured the elastic or resilient section or element 16, which formsV a continuation of the band 7 and is preferably made of corresponding crossesection to that of band 7. This element 16 is shown as secured at one end to the band 7, and at the other end to the folded piece 14 by stitching or by any suitable means. In the example shown, where rubber is used, the elastic rubber section or element 16 is vulcanized to said folded piece 14 and to said band 7, thus forming a continuation or extension of band 7 to the folded piece 14. This extension or element 16 is preferably made to correspond in width and color with that of the band 7.

In operation: v

When the belt is adjusted for comfortable wear under normal conditions, the elastic element 16 is under normal or slight tension, but under abnormal conditions, such as occur when the wearer stoops or bends, the belt is capable of yielding due to theelasticity of the element 16.

This abnormal stretching is not appa-rent to the observer beyond the relative appearance of thel two retaining loops, which in Fig. 4 are further apart than in F ig. 3. That is to say, the` loop 12 moves with the band 7 in direction opposite to that of the end 8, as the elastic section stretches and contracts.

I thus have a belt capableof yielding under tension, which in appearance is similar to an ordinary belt, the elastic part being covered by the free end 8. The elastic element gives the belt the characteristic of a snug'and comfortable fit under all conditions.

`What I claim is 1. In an apparel belt, the combination of a buckle, a flexible band, an elastic section secured between one end of the said band and the buckle, and a retaining loop for receiving the free end of the belt, secured to the said band adjacent its point of connection with the elastic section, and moving with the band and indirection opposite to that of said freeend, as the elastic section stretches and contracts.

2. In an apparel belt, the combination of a buckle, a flexible band, an lelastic section secured between one end of the said band and the buckle, a retaining loop for receiving the free end of the belt positioned adjacent the buckle, and a second retaining loop for receiving said free end of the belt, secured to the said band adjacent its point of connection with the elastic section, and moving with the band and in direction opposite to that of said free end, as the elastic section stretches and contracts. Y

JAMES T. DUFFY, JR. 

